MX-3.com

Everyone is saying that 17" will slow you down, so why not use 16" with low profile tires? <P>Is anybody out there using 16"?<BR>if so, tell me what you think compared to stock 14" with normal tires

I'll be getting a set of 16's with lo-pros soon enough. I'll let you know how it turns out.<P>frank

Larger diameter wheels will only slow your acceleration down if they are (A) heavier than stock, or (B) fitted with tires that make the overall diameter larger than stock.<P>Any weight added to the wheels is equivalent to approximately 3-4 lbs. of static weight due to the fact that it is rotational weight. It will also make the car turn in a little more slowly, and respond more slowly overall due to the weight being unsprung.<P>The larger diameter would mean that it would take more power (torque, actually) to get rolling. A good (but exaggerated) example is to compare how quickly you can accelerate a BMX bike with 20" diameter wheels compared to a mountain bike with 26" diameter wheels, assuming similar gearing. You will be able to accelerate the BMX bike faster, but it will not reach the same top speed.<P>215/40R-17's and 225/45R-16's are both nearly exactly the same diameter as 205/55R-15's. If you get lightweight wheels, you shouldn't lose out too much, if at all.<P>Hope this helps.